Chart: Statutes of Limitations in All 50 States

Know the time limits for filing a lawsuit (statutes of limitations) in your state.

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Updated September
18, 2015

The chart below contains
common statutes of limitations for all 50 states, expressed in years.

We provide
this chart as a rough guide. Check your state's actual statutes of limitations for the time limit for
your specific claim, which may be different than what you read here. For
example, time limits for filing a lawsuit to recover on a bad debt are often
shorter than the time limits for filing a lawsuit for breaches of other types
of contracts. And while in some states the statute of limitations for
foreclosing on a mortgage is the same as for written contracts, in other states
there is a separate law and time period.

Looking at the actual
law will also help you determine when the statute of limitations begins to run,
the events that delay or “toll” the limitations period, and any other time
periods that can cut off the ability to sue. Also, keep in mind that court
rulings can determine the way that the statutes apply—and even make them
unenforceable.

The rules and
procedure in this area are complex. The time period might be different for an
action against the government. You might have to file a particular kind of
claim before suing. You might have grounds for a different or an additional
claim—with a different statute of limitations—than what you thought. Because of
all the complexity, an experienced lawyer is your best bet for enforcing or
protecting your rights.

Statutes of Limitations for the 50 States (and the District of Columbia)

State

Statute

Written contract

Oral contract

Injury

Property damage

Alabama

Ala. Code § 6-2-30 et seq. *

6

6

2

6

Alaska

Alaska Stat. § 09.10.010 et seq.

3

3

2

6 (real property); 2 (personal property)

Arizona

Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 12-541 et seq.

6

3

2

2

Arkansas

Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-101 et seq.

5

3

3

3

California

Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 312 et seq.

4

2

2

3

Colorado

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101 et seq.

3 (6 most debts; rent)(2 tortious breach)

3 (6 short-term debt/rent )(2 tortious breach)

2 (injuries from motor vehicle accidents, 3 years)

2

Connecticut

Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 52-575 et seq.

6

3

2

2

Delaware

Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 8101 et seq.

3

3

2

2

District of Columbia

D.C. Code § 12-301 et seq.

3

3

3

3

Florida

Fla. Stat. Ann. § 95.011 et seq.

5

4

4

4

Georgia

Ga. Code Ann. § 9-3-20 et seq.

6

4

2

4

Hawaii

Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1 et seq.

6

6

2

2

Idaho

Idaho Code § 5-201 et seq.

5

4

2

3

Illinois

735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/13-201 et seq.

10

5

2

5

Indiana

Ind. Code Ann. § 34-11-2-1 et seq.

10

6

2

6 (real property); 2 (personal property)

Iowa

Iowa Code Ann. § 614.1 et seq.

10

5

2

5

Kansas

Kan. Stat. Ann. § 60-501 et seq.

5

3

2

2

Kentucky

Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 413.080 et seq.

10 (15 years for contracts entered into on or before July 15, 2014)

5

1

5 (real property); 3 (personal property)

Louisiana

La. civil code § 3492 et seq.

10

10

1

1

Maine

Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 14, § 751 et seq.

6

6

6

6

Maryland

Md. Courts & Jud. Proc. Code Ann. § 5-101 et seq.

3

3

3

3

Massachusetts

Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 260, § 1 et seq.

6

6

3

3

Michigan

Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5801 et seq.

6

6

3

3

Minnesota

Minn. Stat. Ann. § 541.01 et seq.

6

6

2

6

Mississippi

Miss. Code. Ann. § 15-1-1 et seq.

6

3

3

3

Missouri

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.097 et seq.

10 (If contract is for something other than payment of money or property, then the statute of limitations is five years.)